Luton Town fought back to steal a point against Burnley, in the two sides’ massive Premier League relegation six-pointer at Turf Moor on Friday.
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The result moved Luton level on points (16) with 17th-place Everton, now level on games played, but still in the relegation zone due to goal difference (-4 to -14). Friday was not only a chance for Burnley (12 points - 19th place) to pick up three points of their own, but to deal their direct competition for Premier League status another defeat at the same time. Alas, the draw leaves them next-to-bottom and four points adrift.
Vincent Kompany’s side struggled to get a hold on the ball — thus, the game — in the opening half-hour, as Luton controlled more possession without threatening too much themselves. Until the 36th minute, that is, when a quick counter-attack cut through the exposed Luton defense for the game’s opening goal.
Burnley won the ball back inside their own half, but it was over the halfway line and racing forward as Lyle Foster dribbled 40 yards upfield before playing Wilson Odobert into a one-on-one battle on the left wing. Odobert beat his man tot he end line and cut a cross back to the top of the six-yard box where Zeki Amdouni was lurking and waiting to slot home through a mass of humanity in the goal mouth.
The 1-0 scoreline looked like it would stand the test of time and see Burnley move to within a point of Luton and within two points of safety, but Luton pulled the proverbial rabbit out of their hat, as they have done on a number of occasions already this season. There was major suspicion of a foul committed against goalkeeper James Trafford just before Carlton Morris rose up to head home Alfie Doughty’s high, floating cross into the box. Elijah Adebayo backed into Trafford just before he was to jump to make a play on the ball, but a lengthy video review deemed the goal to be valid, and another unlikely point socked away for the final tally at the end of the season.
Never-say-die attitude keeping Luton Town alive in relegation race
Luton have won an additional seven points this season by scoring in the 80th minute or later, amounting to nearly half their points total thus far. Rob Edwards’ side ranks 2nd-lowest in terms of possession (37.8 percent per game) and passing percentage (73), and 4th-lowest in shots (11.1 per game), yet they have a legitimate shot at securing a second season in the Premier League — thanks, in large part, to their never-say-die mindset until the final whistle.
10 - Luton Town have scored 10 goals in the final 10 minutes of Premier League games this season; only Liverpool have netted more (13). Unwavering. pic.twitter.com/fdrA81DcO8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 12, 2024
What’s next?
With both sides set to go away for a weeklong winter break, Burnley will return to visit three-time defending champions Manchester City on Jan. 31. Luton will face Bolton in an FA Cup third-round replay Tuesday, then return to host Brighton on Jan. 30.
Player ratings - Burnley vs Luton Town
Burnley vs Luton Town, final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Zeki Amdouni (36'), Carlton Morris (90'+1)
36th minute - GOAL - Zeki Amdouni slots home Wilson Odobert’s cross for 1-0
Burnley vs Luton Town: Start time, how to watch, TV channel, live stream link
Kickoff: 2:45pm ET Friday (January 12)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Burnley starting lineup
Trafford — Vitinho, O’Shea, Dakhil, Ekdal — Gudmondsson, Brownhill, Cullen, Odobert — Foster, Amdouni
Luton Town starting lineup
Kaminski — Mengi, Osho, Bell — Ogbene, Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty — Townsend, Clark, Adebayo
Burnley team news, injury update
Burnley took points in three of five Premier League matches heading into Boxing Day but was cooled off by a vicious run of opponents. Losses to Liverpool and Aston Villa in the league were joined by this weekend’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Tottenham.
Vincent Kompany’s Clarets have fared well against lower-half sides, however, beating Fulham and blasting Sheffield United in February. A 2-0 loss to Everton looks to defy that statement but the Toffees are only so low on the table due to their 10-point punishment for breaching PL sustainability rules.
OUT: Luca Koleosho (knee), Hjalmar Ekdal (knee), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Charlie Taylor (shoulder)
Luton Town team news, injury update
It’s difficult to get a read on the Hatters. They are fighters but have not found a level of consistency in chance production, and doing that would help overshadow their habit of conceding loads upon loads of chances.
And there’s just consistency in feel. Luton out-produced Chelsea in expected goals by more than a full goal and lost 3-2 and deserved edged Newcastle, but were worked over by Sheffield United — 3.62-0.72 in xG — and won.
OUT: Tom Lockyer (heart), Issa Kabore (undisclosed), Marvelous Nakamba (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Jacob Brown (knee), Reece Burke (thigh), Dan Potts (ankle)